This project will include multiple steps including, but not limited to: 

• Lighting
  • Assessing the current set up and safety of the “twinkle” lights
  • Evaluating the electrical access for these lights in downtown Davis
  • Researching decorative lights for safety, outdoor wear/tear, longevity and ambiance
  • Removing the current decorative lights
  • Updating the ordinance related to street trees and city trees for a pilot 
  • Receiving City Council authorization to install temporary decorating lighting
  • Installing temporary lights that meet current safety codes and electrical connections
  • Establishing lighting installation and maintenance standards for trees downtown
  • Finalizing standards and a decorative tree lighting process and procedure, with funding and a maintenance plan, to be approved by a Commission and/or the Davis City Council
  • Ordering and installing decorative lights for the downtown Davis area
• Trees
  • Assessing the City trees in downtown Davis
  • Pruning and/or removing City trees
  • Caring for, and maintaining the ongoing health of, these City trees

In addition, the City will notify the Downtown Davis Business Association, the Davis Chamber of Commerce and businesses in downtown Davis about the project. 

The process to assess and prune the trees and replace the decorative string lights will include multiple steps, departments and staff. Some steps may take longer than others, depending on weather, resources, shipping, assessments or other potential factors.

City staff will work as quickly as possible to limit the amount of time that trees in downtown are without lighting (temporary or permanent) and work to install lighting that at least matches, if not improves upon, the attractiveness, luminosity and atmosphere of downtown Davis. 

The timeline and steps listed below are only for City trees in downtown Davis. The timeline is tentative and will be updated periodically. Steps listed below may include other sub-steps or tasks that are not outlined. 

• June/July 2023
  • All 900+ trees in downtown Davis are assessed by the City’s Urban Forestry division
  • Current decorative lights on City trees are evaluated by the City’s Fire Marshall for safety and fire hazard
  • Outdoor electrical power sources in downtown Davis are assessed by the City’s Electrician for connection, safety and power
  • Temporary lights are researched and ordered
  • City staff and the City’s contractor (West Coast Arborist) will begin to prune the ~800 City trees without lights first, in downtown Davis, based on American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 standards, for tree health. 


• August 2023
  • Current decorative lights are taken down on City trees by quadrant
  • City trees with lights are assessed and pruned

• Fall 2023
  • City staff examine and research a process and procedure for trees and decorative lights in downtown
  • City staff present to the Tree Commission
  • City staff present to the City Council regarding amending a part of the Davis Municipal Code related to street trees and city trees
  • City Council authorize the installation of temporary decorating lighting in the downtown area

• 2024
  • A public survey is shared/open with options for decorative lighting and a test area in downtown Davis
  • The public survey is closed and staff review/assess the results
  • Results of survey are shared with City leadership and the Tree Commission
  • City staff draft and finalize lighting installation and decorative tree lighting process and procedure, with funding and a maintenance plan
  • City staff bring draft to a Commission and/or the Davis City Council for approval
  • Permanent lights are purchased
  • Permanent lights are installed

This is not a comprehensive or complete list for the timeline. 

The image below shows the areas where current City trees are located that have lights on them. Please note that the highlighted areas are general locations only and not exact. Click on the map for a larger image. 

After staff research and Tree Commission review, the City tested three different options of lighting in January 2024 seeking to balance ambiance and optimal tree health. The three options were selected after research and input from staff, local groups and relevant Commissions. The lighting that will be selected will be determined by a combination of community input (from a survey), business feedback, staff recommendations and City Council's approval. To read the press release about the survey, click here. 

The three options, in no particular order, were:

• A laser unit affixed to the ground projecting small, moving lights toward tree canopies
• Outdoor patio lights strung between installed poles
• Outdoor patio lights strung between trees

Meetings and Staff Reports

• October 3, 2023 City Council Meeting
  • Staff Report to amend Section 37.02.040
  • Staff Presentation
• September 6, 2023 Tree Commission 
  • Agenda
  • Staff Memo

Additional Resources and Contact Information

• Contact information:
  • pwweb@cityofdavis.org (for tree care & lights)
  • communications@cityofdavis.org (for basic information)
• Link to the City's Urban Forestry page
• Link to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 standards (for tree care)
• Examples of string light guidance from other cities/areas
  • Seattle Guidelines for Affixing Decorative Lighting to Street Trees
  • San Francisco Parks Alliance String Lighting
  • Portland & Cincinnati Tree Lights Policies